Penn Alexander: A Safe Place to Play, a film produced by Penn GSE Films, will air on WHYY’s arts channel this month.

The film takes a behind-the-scenes look at a production of Fiddler on the Roof Jr. featuring students from the Penn Alexander School.

A Safe Place to Play follows the production from after-school rehearsals right through opening night. The 22-minute film depicts the backstage drama of young actors mastering their roles—and even includes the classic story of the understudy who has to step in when one of the featured players ends up on crutches.

As Mike Lowe, the director (and kindergarten teacher), explains, “Part of it is convincing them that they can do it—and they can do it.”